U.S.-led Coalition in Iraq & Syria

In 2014 a U.S.-led coalition began a campaign of airstrikes in Iraq and Syria – officially known as Operation Inherent Resolve – following the capture of large swathes of the countries by the so-called Islamic State (ISIS). An intense air and ground campaign drove ISIS out of almost all territory by 2018 but resulted in significant destruction and loss of life.

Airwars documented thousands of allegations of civilian harm from U.S.-led Coalition strikes and has conducted numerous major investigations and research papers on the topic.

Airwars estimate of civilian deaths

8,220 – 13,294

Locally reported civilian deaths from declared or likely U.S.-led Coalition actions in Iraq and Syria for which the reporting was assessed by Airwars as Fair, or have been Confirmed by the U.S.-led Coalition. These originate from 2,984 separate alleged incidents.

1,725 – 2,367
children likely killed
1,123 – 1,464
women likely killed
5,904
likely injured
3,757
named victims

U.S.-led Coalition estimate of civilian deaths

1,454

Confirmed civilian deaths, from U.S.-led Coalition actions in Iraq and Syria, originating from 360 separate incidents of civilian harm.

402
civilians confirmed injured
Alleged deaths
19,182 – 29,761
Locally reported civilian deaths from U.S.-led Coalition actions in Iraq and Syria.
2,984 seperate alleged incidents
Confirmed or Fair
8,220 – 13,294
Civilian deaths for which the reporting was assessed by Airwars as Fair, or have been Confirmed by U.S.-led Coalition
1,538 seperate alleged incidents
Weak
2,391 – 2,815
Civilian deaths for which the reporting was assessed by Airwars as Weak.
434 seperate alleged incidents
Contested
7,870 – 12,564
Civilian deaths for which the reporting is assessed by Airwars as Contested.
778 seperate alleged incidents
Discounted
696 – 1,083
Civilian deaths were Discounted by Airwars after assessment.
233 seperate alleged incidents

Civilian Casualty Incidents — U.S.-led Coalition in Iraq & Syria

Start Date

End Date

Strike Type

Causes of Death / Injury

Strike Status

Civilian Harm Status

Belligerent Assessment

Casualty

Infrastructure

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2981 incidents
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Incident DatePublication Date

Incident Date

10 November 2018

Incident Code

CS1829

Location

هجين, Hajin, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Between four and 26 civilians died in alleged US-led Coalition airstrikes on the town of Hajin on November 10th, 2018, according to local sources. An unknown number of others was injured. Sources claimed that many of the victims were women and children. Sana News put the death toll at four, reporting that "the US-led coalition carried…

Summary

Published
10 November 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
4–26
Civilians reported injured
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

9 November 2018

Incident Code

CS1827

Location

هجين, Hajin, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Local media reported that between 11 and 26 civilians died in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Hajin, in what some sources described as "a massacre".  In June 2019 the Coalition accepted responsibility for just one death in this event, with their monthly civilian casualty report noting: "Near Hajin, Syria, via media report. Coalition aircraft conducted…

Summary

Published
9 November 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
11–26
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

9 November 2018

Incident Code

CS1828

Location

الشعفة, Al Sha'afa, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Up to 20 civilian died in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Al Shaafa, according to sources on the ground. Deir Ezzor 24 reported that "many" civilians had died in the strike - and blamed the Coalition. Al Shaafa Official put the death toll at 20, again pointing to the US-led alliance - and adding that…

Summary

Published
9 November 2018
Civilians reported killed
11–20
Civilians reported injured
1
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

8 November 2018

Incident Code

CS1825

Location

هجين, Hajin, Deir Ezzor, Syria
An alleged Coalition airstrike targeted the town of Hajin, which according to local reports resulted in the deaths of between 12 and as many as 40 civilian casualties. Halab Today TV reported that “Coalition aircraft carried out more than 50 air raids on the city of the Hajin, east of the Euphrates, on Thursday evening [Nov…

Summary

Published
8 November 2018
Civilians reported killed
12–41
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

8 November 2018

Incident Code

CS1826

Location

الشعفة, Al Sha'afa, Deir Ezzor, Syria
An alleged Coalition airstrike on an “ISIS headquarters” was reported to have resulted in civilian casualties. Smart News Agency reported that one of four high precision missiles fell on an ISIS HQ and that 12 members of the terror group died. Smart did not report any civilian casualties. However, according to Deir Ezzor 24, “many…

Summary

Published
8 November 2018
Civilians reported killed
4–20
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

4 November 2018

Incident Code

CS1824

Location

السوسة, Al Soussa, Deir Ezzor, Syria
A single source, Free Deir Ezzor Media, reported that “a civilian woman and her child were killed by artillery shelling targeting the town of Al-Soussa in Deir al-Zour countryside.” No further details are currently available. In its December 2020 monthly civilian casualty report, the Coalition assessed this event as ‘non credible’, asserting that "The allegation…

Summary

Published
4 November 2018
Strike Type
Artillery
Civilians reported killed
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident